While certainly not an outstanding episode, it still provides a basic ethical dilemma that brings about significant tension, even if short lived. Interestingly, my seven year old son watched the episode with me. I was slightly anxious about how he would respond to a manifestation of death (Mr. Death) in human form (with a business suit, no less), but he was more surprised than scared. As the plot unfolded, we paused to discuss the ethical issue Mr. Bookman was now confronted with, considering the potential choices and the reasons behind them.
"A salesman, Lew Bookman, is told by Death that he is to die at midnight. Mr. Bookman argues that his life's work as a salesman is not quite complete, and convinces Death to give him a stay of execution until he can give one last, great sales pitch - "a pitch for the angels", as Mr. Bookman puts it. Once Death agrees, Bookman then announces his intention to quit selling and find another line of work. He is proud of having outsmarted Death and virtually assured himself of immortality.
What Bookman hasn't counted on is that someone has to die at midnight. Because of this, Death has to take one of Bookman's many young friends, a little girl who lives in the same building, who is hit by a truck (but not yet killed)."
My son adamantly decided that the old man should sacrifice his life for the young girl in this particular predicament. This is, of course, exactly how things play out. Predictable, maybe - but definitely an outstanding introduction to ethical matters according to "The Twilight Zone".
Worthy of note, minor role actors Ed Wynn and Murray Hamilton (pictured above) turned out solid performances.
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